ESU skywatchers can view the Worm Moon's rare total eclipse March 3
Emporia, KS (02/26/2026) — Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 3, when early-rising skywatchers in Emporia will be treated to a celestial spectacle as the Worm Moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse before dawn.
The moonlit sky will gradually give way to an eerie copper-tinted moon as Earth's shadow sweeps over our celestial neighbor in a show that's safe to watch with the unaided eye. The name "Worm Moon" is believed to come from the appearance of earthworms as the ground thaws in spring. Some Native American traditions mark the Worm Moon as the end of winter and a symbol of renewal.
While there is no formal event on campus, Emporia State's Mark Brown, director of Peterson Planetarium, shares how science enthusiasts can see the early morning event and when to expect each phase.
Eclipse timeline (Central Standard Time, Emporia)
Key phases based on local contact times:
- 2:44 a.m. Penumbral eclipse begins. The moon moves into Earth's lighter outer shadow. This stage is subtle and most people won't notice the slight dimming.
- 3:50 a.m. Partial eclipse begins. The moon enters Earth's umbra, and a noticeable notch will appear on the lunar disk. You'll see the curved edge of Earth's shadow cast onto the moon.
- 5:04 a.m. Total eclipse begins. Earth's shadow fully covers the moon, which will take on a deep coppery Blood Moon hue.
- 5:33 a.m. Greatest or mid-eclipse. The moon sits deepest in Earth's umbral shadow. This is the peak of totality and the moment when the moon may appear darkest or most red, provided skies are clear.
- 6:02 a.m. Totality ends. The moon begins to emerge from Earth's shadow. The red tint fades as it transitions back through the partial phase.
- 6:57 a.m. Moonset. As dawn approaches, the moon sets below the western horizon while still in partial eclipse.
This total lunar eclipse spans much of the early morning and gives Emporia observers a complete view of totality before moonset. Not everyone in the United States will see the full event because the farther east you are, the sooner the moon sets. This is the only total lunar eclipse visible in North America this year. A partial lunar eclipse will occur in 2028, and total eclipses return in 2029. The last total lunar eclipse occurred on March 14, 2025.
Viewing tips
- Choose a location with a clear western horizon free of trees and buildings.
- Binoculars or a telescope are not necessary but can enhance detail.
- Check the morning weather forecast. Clear skies will give the best view.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Media Attachments
The progression of the total lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025, captured by Mark Brown, ESU physics instructor and director of the university's Peterson Planetarium.